The Cleveland Browns are barreling toward another season atop the NFL Draft order and should get the most value possible out of the trade chips they have on the roster. For the LA Chargers, this creates an opportunity to acquire a myriad of players to help the 2025 campaign.
Chargers general manager Joe Hortiz has been aggressive in upgrading the roster via trade and that won't change just because the team already traded for Odafe Oweh. If there's a trade that makes sense for the Chargers, Hortiz will pull the trigger.
Chargers beat reporter Daniel Popper thinks there are multiple trades with the Browns that make sense for the Chargers. Three of the five potential trade targets Popper listed in his latest article for The Athletic are from the Browns: Jerome Ford, Shelby Harris, and Jack Conklin.
Browns have multiple trade chips that make sense for the Chargers
Ford is someone who has long made sense for the Chargers. Los Angeles needs running back depth while Omarion Hampton is injured, and could benefit from adding a veteran to split the workload once he returns.
The Browns have made it pretty clear they are phasing Ford out of the running back rotation and the Chargers would benefit from his presence. While he has not been very impactful this season, Ford averaged over five yards per carry in a full-time capacity last season.
Popper's theorized price for Ford is a 2026 sixth-round pick that includes getting a seventh-round pick back in return from Cleveland. That is the same theorized price Popper cites for Harris.
The 34-year-old defensive tackle would boost the interior defensive line for the Chargers and would aid in patching up one of the biggest holes on the defense. The Chargers have showcased a vulnerable run defense that smart offenses are able to expose. Harris would help plug up those running lanes in a big way.
Harris has posted a 72.3 run defense grade on Pro Football Focus this season, which ranks 13th among defensive linemen. He's also recorded six quarterback pressures, per PFF, in only 97 pass rush snaps.
The last possible trade target, Conklin, would help shore up the offensive line. This is all about surviving the injuries the Chargers have sustained at right tackle with Conklin theoretically starting at right tackle if Trey Pipkins can't play.
Conklin would also start if Joe Alt were to suffer another injury. Conklin may not be a huge game-changer, but he's certainly better than Austin Deculus.
Popper's theorized price for Conklin is a sixth-round pick with no seventh-round pick coming back to the Chargers. While that doesn't seem like a hefty price, the Chargers may not want to part ways with draft capital for someone who will essentially just be a swing tackle.
With Bobby Hart actually playing well, trading for Conklin seems like the least likely of the trio at this theorized price.